Stepping into the Lyric Hammersmith for the UK premiere of Jocelyn Bioh’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is less like entering a theater and more like being invited into a living, breathing Harlem sanctuary.

Following its decorated Broadway run, this 90-minute slice-of-life comedy arrived in London in March 2026, bringing with it a vibrant energy that confirms Bioh is one of the most vital voices in contemporary theater.

Set entirely within the titular braiding salon over the course of one sweltering summer day, the play is a masterclass in ensemble storytelling.

Paul Wills’ set design is a beautiful, clever, marvel of "hyper-realism", a revolving stage that peels back the salon’s graffiti-covered shutters to reveal a TARDIS-esque interior cluttered with colorful posters, Afrobeats-blaring TVs, and the organized chaos of hair trolleys.

It feels lived-in, intimate, and immediately authentic.

The heart of the production lies in the fierce sisterhood of its stylists.

From the fiery Bea (Dolapo Oni) to the witty Aminata (Babirye Bukilwa), the cast navigates a relentless stream of bickering, banter, and "Beyoncé-inspired" hair requests with impeccable comedic timing.

Yet, beneath the laughter and the dizzying array of wigs (meticulously crafted by Cynthia De La Rosa) the play weaves in the sharper, weightier realities of the immigrant experience.

The fear of deportation and the struggle for the "American Dream" loom like the heat outside, particularly in the quiet, subdued performance of Marie (Sewa Zamba), Jaja’s daughter, who serves as the play’s moral anchor.

Director Monique Touko, reuniting with Bioh after their success with School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, keeps the pace electric.

The transitions are punctuated by bursts of dance and music that make the audience feel like they’ve "moved in" for the day alongside the characters.

While the play's brevity occasionally leaves certain subplots feeling slightly rushed, the emotional payoff remains potent.

When Jaja (Zainab Jah) finally makes her appearance, she delivers a grounding reminder of the resilience required to thrive in a world that often treats these women as invisible.

Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is more than just a "very funny" play; it is a radiant celebration of community.

It captures the specific magic of the hair salon, a place where hair is transformed, secrets are shared and lives are momentarily paused.

It is a heartwarming, hilarious, and necessary piece of theater that lingers in your mind long after the shutters have come back down.

Show Details

  • Writer: Jocelyn Bioh
  • Director: Monique Touko
  • Venue: Lyric Hammersmith, London
  • Run Time: 90 minutes (no interval)
  • Dates: Closed April 25, 2026